Debenhams prepares to close "struggling" stores

Department store Debenhams will begin closing a number of stores across the country from this weekend, including two sites in the West Midlands.

Nineteen so-called "worst-performing" stores will close, in a bid to reduce the company's debt. It's led to 660 job losses, and is one of many high-street names struggling on the high street.

Debenhams entered administration in April as it sought to reduce its debt Credit: PA

The company entered administration in April 2019 and officially launched its CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangements) later that same month.

Here's the full list of sites and their closing dates:

  • Altrincham, Greater Manchester - January 11th

  • Birmingham The Fort - January 11th

  • Kirkcaldy, Fife - January 11th

  • Walton-on-Thames, Surrey - January 11th

  • Wandsworth, London - January 11th

  • Wolverhampton - January 11th

  • Chatham, Kent - January 15th

  • Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - January 15th

  • Slough, Berkshire - January 15th

  • Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham - January 15th

  • Welwyn, Hertfordshire - January 15th

  • Witney, Oxfordshire - January 15th

  • Ashford, Kent - January 19th

  • Canterbury, Kent - January 19th

  • Eastbourne, East Sussex - January 19th

  • Folkestone, Kent - January 19thth

  • Southport, Merseyside - January 19th

  • Southsea, Portsmouth - January 19th

  • Wimbledon, London - January 19th

The British Airways veteran Abigail Comber has joined Debenhams todayas new Chief Marketing Officer. She spent 24 years at BA, with highlights including the airline’s sponsorship of Team GBR at the 2012 London Olympics.

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